N6 -methyladenosine (m6 A) is a prevalent epitranscriptomic mark in eukaryotic RNA, with crucial roles for mammalian and ecdysozoan development. Indeed, m6 A-RNA and the related protein machinery are important for splicing, translation, maternal-to-zygotic transition and cell differentiation. However, to date, the presence of an m6 A-RNA pathway remains unknown in more distant animals, questioning the evolution and significance of the epitranscriptomic regulation. Therefore, we investigated the m6 A-RNA pathway in the oyster Crassostrea gigas, a lophotrochozoan model whose development was demonstrated under strong epigenetic influence. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/AM-1241.html Using mass spectrometry and dot blot assays, we demonstrated that m6 A-RNA is actually present in the oyster and displays variations throughout early oyster development, with the lowest levels at the end of cleavage. In parallel, by in silico analyses, we were able to characterize at the molecular level a complete and conserved putative m6 A machinery. The expression levels of the identified putative m6 A writers, erasers and readers were strongly regulated across oyster development. Finally, RNA pull-down coupled to LC-MS/MS allowed us to prove the actual presence of readers able to bind m6 A-RNA and exhibiting specific developmental patterns. Altogether, our results demonstrate the conservation of a complete m6 A-RNA pathway in the oyster and strongly suggest its implication in early developmental processes including MZT. This first demonstration and characterization of an epitranscriptomic regulation in a lophotrochozoan model, potentially involved in the embryogenesis, bring new insights into our understanding of developmental epigenetic processes and their evolution.Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) is common in preterm births. Fetal inflammatory response syndrome (FIRS) is present in nearly 50% of PPROM cases. We created a risk score to predict FIRS using maternal factors after PPROM.
We conducted a retrospective study of singleton pregnancies complicated by PPROM that resulted in delivery at 23-35?weeks of gestation. Antepartum maternal factors and umbilical cord blood interleukin-6 (IL-6) data were analyzed. FIRS was defined as IL-6?&gt;?11?pg/mL.
Umbilical cord blood IL-6 and maternal blood data within 24?h before parturition were available for 158 cases; 66 were diagnosed with FIRS (41.8%; median IL-6, 57.55?pg/mL). We created a risk score (FIRS score) comprising expected delivery weeks (?30?weeks), maternal C-reactive protein (?1.2?mg/dL), maternal white blood cell count (?13?000/μL), corticosteroid use (none) and PROM latency period (?3?days) from the multivariate logistic regression model predicting FIRS. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of the score produced the following results area under the curve, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.76-0.89; cut-off value, 7.5; sensitivity, 89%; specificity, 63%; positive predictive value, 63% and negative predictive value, 89%. The probability of FIRS according to the categories of the FIRS score was 11% for those with a score of 0-7, 50% for a score of 8-15, and 88% for a score of 16-22.
The devised maternal risk score could predict FIRS and be helpful to decide the delivery timing for the cases of PPROM.
The devised maternal risk score could predict FIRS and be helpful to decide the delivery timing for the cases of PPROM.The application of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as SERS-active platforms in multiplex volatile organic compounds (VOCs) detection is still unexplored. Herein, we demonstrate that MIL-100 (Fe) serves as an ideal SERS substrate for the detection of VOCs. The limit of detection (LOD) of MIL-100(Fe) for toluene sensing can reach 2.5?ppm, and can be even further decreased to 0.48?ppb level when "hot spots" in between Au nanoparticles are employed onto MIL-100 (Fe) substrate, resulting in an enhancement factor of 1010 . Additionally, we show that MIL-100(Fe) substrate has a unique "sensor array" property allowing multiplex VOCs detection, with great modifiability and expandability by doping with foreign metal elements. Finally, the MIL-100(Fe) platform is utilized to simultaneously detect the different gaseous indicators of lung cancer with a ppm detection limit, demonstrating its high potential for early diagnosis of lung cancer in vivo.This study aims at identifying the health effects of a strength-based intervention on family caregivers of persons with dementia and to explore the underlying mechanism. The perception of family caregivers on the strength-based intervention will also be explored.
This sequential mixed-method study comprises a double-blind randomized controlled trial and a descriptive qualitative study.
A group of 372 family caregivers of persons with dementia will be recruited from community settings. They will be randomized to receive the strength-based intervention or a dementia education program. Based on Antonovksy's theory of salutogenesis, the strength-based intervention integrates skills of narrative therapy and empowerment strategies. It comprises 14 weekly group-based sessions and two bi-weekly follow-up telephone calls. The education program serves as the control intervention. Validated instruments are used to measure sense of coherence, coping, caregiver burden, and health-related quality of life at baseline,with dementia.
This project was registered in the Clinical Trials Registry of the Centre for Clinical Research and Biostatistics (registration number CUHK_CCRB00551; date registered 6 April 2017).
This project was registered in the Clinical Trials Registry of the Centre for Clinical Research and Biostatistics (registration number CUHK_CCRB00551; date registered 6 April 2017).With the rapid development of human society, consumer electronics have brought marvelous changes to human daily life, but they are accompanied by the much higher demand of display quality and visual experience. Therefore, ideal conversion among the three primary colors-red (R), green (G), and blue (B)-in a single pixel has been a better way to avoid the insurmountable technical barrier of subpixel technology of modern displays. Electrofluorochromic (EFC) materials capable of a novel luminescent switching, open a powerful way to design optoelectronic devices for displays and information storage etc. Colorful EFC devices, especially emitting the ideal three primary colors without subpixel technology, have been a challenge for years. Herein, a long-awaited single-pixel device with RGB color is fabricated successfully based on proton-coupled electron transfer. The RGB EFC device exhibits outstanding EFC properties, such as low turn-on voltage (+1.0 and -1.0 V), large color gamut, and good stability (500 cycles for each color).